Voice for the Silent Fathers
by Eddie K. Wright
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Memoir
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
In
his memoir, Eddie shares his story of becoming a father at 18 years old who
realized his son was showing ‘stereotypical’ signs of being gay while still in
diapers. Spending most of his adult life engulfed in the street
gangster/hip-hop culture where this subject was not only hushed but deeply
frowned upon, he gives us the voice for what’s been kept silent for far too
long, confronting almost every aspect of this taboo topic. It took years for
him to silently accept his son’s homosexuality himself, regardless of all the
signs. When his son was five years old, his favorite color was pink and there
was nothing Dad could do about it. By the age of fourteen; he was an internet
sensation, dancing on YouTube building his fan base to guarantee his success
when performing as a drag queen a few years later. Eddie addresses the
questions most are scared to ask; Was there anything I could do to stop my
son’s homosexuality? When did I know my son was gay? What made him that way?
Parents will find comfort in reading that Eddie admits that his son’s feminine
behaviors embarrassed him and he seriously contemplated abandonment, a choice
that too many fathers feel they have to choose.
He shares witnessing
the desperation in the eyes of fathers, from all walks of life, who have pulled
him aside, away from listening ears wanting to know the answers to these
frequently asked questions, agonizing the possibilities that their son might be
gay.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt One:
Intro Excerpt:
“Was there anything I could do to stop my son’s
homosexuality? When did I know my son was gay? What made him that way? I've
witnessed the desperation in the eyes of fathers, from all walks of life, who
have pulled me aside, away from listening ears, wanting to know the answers to
their questions, analyzing the possibilities of why their son might be gay,
some weren’t even sure that their sons were gay.
Mothers seem to be more liberal about their son’s decisions
to choose what makes them happy in life, and most importantly, "who"
they share their lives with. However, for fathers, nine times out of ten, the
topic is taboo. Especially the fathers who I've met in Federal prison or on the
opposite end of the spectrum working with celebrities in the entertainment
business.
I can tell you this though, I never thought I would write a
book and never a book on a topic like this, but life is funny that way. I found
myself raising a son at 18 years old; I was still a kid myself, with a baby boy
headed down that taboo highway. I was confused, frustrated, and angry at the
world. "Why me?" I often thought in those early days... “Why has life
thrown me this crazy curve ball?”…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
First time
author Eddie K. Wright is a fitness trainer, Yoga instructor, spiritual
motivational speaker and an inmate at a federal prison. His personal transformation upon realizing
the Universal laws and love of life, supports his conviction in his
"Gangster to Guru" book series. The premier release "VOICE FOR
THE SILENT FATHERS" details the struggle and inner conflict with being the
parent of a homosexual child in the day, and a known connected gangster at
night. Overcoming his "No son of mine" mentality, by realizing the true
meaning of unconditional love wasn't easy, but his deep insight, heartfelt
honesty, and 'laugh to keep from crying' attitude, makes for a humorous read
for anyone touched by this issue which means it's for everyone!
Interview:
1. Where are you
from?
I'm from Smithtown, New York on the eastern end of Long Island in Suffolk
County.
2. Tell us your
latest news?
My latest news is that I was granted a hearing, appealing my conviction
and 45 year sentence. I've been
patiently waiting over a year for the Courts to make their ruling. The Federal justice system works slow, but I'm
productively using every day.
3. When and why did
you begin writing?
I began writing after my first year of incarceration that was over 12
years ago. I began writing as a form of
therapy which turned into a way I could help others as well as myself. Writing gave me a freedom and purpose.
4. When did you first
consider yourself a writer?
Not long after I started writing, I wrote a letter to a volunteer
chaplain named Dwight Lewis, who came to the jail every week. We developed a friendship and when he lost
his 18th young adult to violence that year, I wrote him a letter to encourage
him to not lose hope. He read that
letter to his congregation of 2,000 and then asked me to write his Christmas
service.
5. What inspired
you to write your first book?
I was inspired with the hopes of getting my son to understand why I
made some of the bad choices in my life.
Why I didn't have the right answers for him when it came to his
particular type of sexuality and why I negatively acted out against him in different
ways. I had a macho, street gangster
mentality, having a gay son wasn't part of the movie that I was directing for
my life. But it did turn out to be an
incredible movie still!
6. What would you
like my readers to know?
I want your readers to know that I'm the first father to ever write
about this topic of having and accepting my gay son. That acceptance didn't
occur overnight. It took years. Everyone knows someone dealing with this
situation be it a parent, child, friend or co-worker. There's a few reasons why homosexual teens
have the highest suicide rate, one is that fathers don't' openly show their
love and acceptance of their way of life.
There are grown adults that haven't reconciled with their parents or
children. It's never too late. "Voice for the Silent Fathers", can
be that olive branch on the road to having a healthy relationship that everyone
deserves. When you finish reading our
story, you won't be just a reader, you'll be considered another friend of my
family. Thank you again!
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BUY
LINK: The Book will be FREE During the Tour at
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/614454
Thoughts from a reader:
These delicate father son issues, so implicitly captured in
Eddie's writings, are relevant to a broad spectrum of societal issues beyond
the "No son of mine" father of a gay man experience. In fact,
the book gets to the real substance of human conflict which is our inability to
accept and appreciate difference. The key word here is appreciation. The
book offers an opportunity to consider acceptance in a way that extends grace,
honor, support and recognition. When we are ungrateful, we are critical,
blaming, and we use forms of rejection. Eddie’s experience of coming to
the acceptance of his son provides hope for healing; a more practical response
to conflict that allows dignity, respect and honor which overcomes criticism,
blame, bigotry, and ultimately rejection. ~G. Holmes~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY
Eddie will be awarding a $20 Amazon or
B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed getting to know your book and thanks for the chance to win :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good book.
ReplyDeleteWho is your favorite author of all time? Thanks for hosting. I hope that I win. Bernie Wallace BWallace1980(at)hotmail(d0t)com
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the tour and I appreciate the excerpt and the great giveaway as well. Love the tours, I get to find books and share with my sisters and now my twin daughters who all love to read. We have found some amazing books for everyone. So, thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing :)
ReplyDelete